Shangqiu City, Henan Province, central China - July 5, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of people on street, holding sun umbrella
2. Various of rest station, city cleaners entering
3. Various of air conditioner, bottled water in fridge
4. Various of deliverymen taking rest
5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Yan Sifan, deliveryman:
"We usually come here to take a rest around two o'clock after work, enjoy the air conditioning, have some water, and take a break."

Zhoukou City, Henan Province, central China - July 5, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
6. Various of sunshade nets covered on greenhouses
7. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Jiang Tingjun, local farmer:
"The results are significant. The temperature is lower now, so I do not need to worry about the crops in the greenhouse. And I can even work inside the greenhouse."
8. Various of agricultural technicians guiding farmers to cool down vegetables
9. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Liu Hui, head, Agricultural Service Center, Maozhuang Town:
"We will continue to instruct farmers to take actions inside and outside greenhouses in accordance with the status of plants, helping reduce heat storage or remove some of the heat. With our 'external and internal application' method, we aim to cool down the temperatures and ensure the profits of farmers."
10. Various of irrigation sprayer working

The Meteorological Observatory of central China's Henan Province has activated a Level-IV emergency response for high temperatures as persistent heat waves swept the region, prompting authorities at all levels to roll out cooling measures to safeguard production and daily life.

In Shangqiu City, over 300 rest stations are open to outdoor workers, for cooling and short recess. The air-conditioned stations are stocked with drinking water and emergency kits, as well as free ice water and popsicles for all.

"We usually come here to take rest around two o'clock after work, enjoy the air conditioning, have some water, and take a break," said Yan Sifan, a local delivery man.

In Jiangbukou Village of Zhoukou City, agricultural technicians have been helping farmers to install sunshade nets and spray cooling agents to protect greenhouse crops from heat stress.

"The results are significant. The temperature is lower now, so I do not need to worry about the crops in the greenhouse. And I can even work inside the greenhouse," said Jiang Tingjun, a local farmer.

While in Zhoukou's Maozhuang Town, the local government has mobilized 10 agricultural emergency guidance teams to draft customized cooling plans for different crops, including ventilation and dehumidification for crops in the flowering and fruit-setting phases, and promoting an "early-and-late shift" work schedule for leafy vegetables to avoid farm work during midday heat.

"We will continue to instruct farmers to take actions inside and outside greenhouses in accordance with the status of plants, helping reduce heat accumulation or remove some of the heat. With our 'external and internal application' method, we aim to cool down the temperatures and ensure the profits of farmers," said Liu Hui, head of the Agricultural Service Center of Maozhuang Town.

The meteorological department forecasts that maximum temperatures across most of Henan will stay between 37 degrees and 39 degrees Celsius from Sunday to Monday, urging the public to take precautions against the heat.

China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response.